【Excellent Foreign Teacher】Zhihui, An Outstanding Overseas Teacher at GDUFS

North Campus, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, November 11^st, 2021: To enhance overseas teachers’ sense of honor and responsibility to participate in teaching, scientific research, social service and other work, fully arouse the enthusiasm and creativity to participate in the international construction of GDUFS, and create a working atmosphere of love and dedication, striving for progress and excellence, GDUFS held its annual election of “Outstanding Overseas Teachers” awards. Alison Mullins and other teachers from the International Collage Center for Foreign Language Training were awarded the title of “Outstanding Overseas Teacher in 2020-2021”. They have consistently showed an exotic style on the lectern, and built a cultural bridge through their charismatic work. GDUFS specially planned its report on "Outstanding Overseas Teachers", and interviewed the overseas teachers and teachers from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who have won that title. It was an opportunity to listen to their experience of learning and living at GDUFS. This shows the persistence and dedication of overseas teachers who devote themselves to educating and spreading culture.

Zhihui (TRIPATHI VIVEK MANI), a Hindi teacher from the Faculty of Japanese Language and Culture and Faculty of Asian and African Studies (under preparation), has been teaching at GDUFS for over five years. He is conscientious in his work, always gentle and patient with students, and is always excited to answer questions from Chinese teachers. He takes an active role in various academic activities and cooperation activities held by the Chinese and Indian governments. Over the past two years, he has published several articles on topics such as "Development of Hindi in China" in international journals such as गर्भनाल, Akshara Multidisciplinary Research Journal.

Zhihui

“Let Indians see more authentic Chinese culture.”

“Culture is the soul of a country, and language is the bridge of cultural exchange and the key to opening each other's hearts. I hope people in India can see more and more authentic Chinese culture through my efforts," Zhihui said at the beginning of the interview. He smiled, and his eyes were full of enthusiasm for cultural exchange between China and India.

When the pandemic broke out a year ago, Zhihui returned to India and stayed abroad. Despite the special period of fighting against the pandemic, he was still striving to promote China-India cultural exchange. He delivered speeches in Benares, CTTE Women's College and many other well-known schools in India, whose themes covered the education and development of Hindi, China and India’s relationship, and many other fields. The speeches were offered about two times a week.

When talking about this experience, Zhihui said that because there are very few means of cultural exchanges between China and India, Indians' understanding of China is very limited. Therefore, he is determined to promote cultural exchanges between China and India through his own efforts, so that Indians can see the authentic China and understand this neighboring country with a long history and splendid civilization.

"We need many people like Xuanzang, who are brave enough to carry out the mission of cultural transmission"

"China and India are good brothers. There may be conflicts between brothers, but through friendly communication, China and India can ultimately reach a consensus and enhance friendship." Zhihui told us about China-India relations in his views. As ancient civilizations, China and India are connected by mountains and rivers and have a cultural fusion. There are many similarities in Chinese and Indian history, culture, ethnicity and other aspects. " When I tell my Indian students about this, they often felt surprised and yearning. Through this kind of cultural exchange, I passed on knowledge and Chinese culture to them, and it was also a learning opportunity for me." Zhihui shared his speech experience of giving those speeches with a sense of accomplishment. He said it was something that he felt genuinely happy about and was proud of.

Xuanzang, the eminent monk of the Tang Dynasty, is Zhihui's favorite Chinese historical figure, as Xuanzang is a symbol of friendly cultural exchange between China and India and intercourse between Chinese and Indians. Without Xuanzang's long journey to India, the Indian architecture and Buddhist culture that emerged during that period might not have spread to China. And at the same time, Xuanzang left precious written records in China, which kept many aspects of Indian history and culture alive. In Zhihui's opinion, the current development of China-India relations needs many people like Xuanzang to carry out the mission of cultural transmission, and young students should learn the spirit of Xuanzang. "The youth are the present of the country." As the main troops to develop the China-India friendship, young people should make great effort to explore more possibilities for the development of exchanges between China and India by using the wisdom of equal communication and through diversified communication channels.

Telling the world about the real China as an overseas teacher.

On March 7, 2020, Zhihui published a commentary on the Indian new media website "New View", expressing his support for the Chinese government and people in their all-out fight against the epidemic. The commentary was reported by the China Media Group international Online news website. At the same time, he was interviewed by the public account "Reporter of China and India" and published an editorial titled "Spring Rewritten by COVID-19 in the Views of Indian Youth". These are all contributions Zhihui has made to the development of China-India friendly relationship. He expressed his heartfelt thoughts in words, told the world about the real China in his eyes as a overseas teacher of GDUFS, and made GDUFS’s voice widely heard through his actions.

At the end of the interview, Zhihui expressed his deep longing for China and GDUFS. He told us that GDUFS was like a tolerant and kind mother, who gave him a free environment for growth and many opportunities for further development, which made the seeds of cultural transmission deeply rooted in his heart. In the future, he will keep working harder with his passion and desire for cultural exchange.